Doll Skin Interview with drummer Meghan Herring. The alternative rock / punk rock group hails from Phoenix, AZ.
Doll Skin Interview
– What’s new in the world of Doll Skin?
We’ve had our lives altered in the best way possible from these past 3 months of touring! Currently we’re still on tour with Otep, September Mourning and Through Fire (The Generation Doom Tour). It’s coming to a close now. Our last date is May 28th at the Whiskey A Go Go! We’re sad it’s going to be over soon but we couldn’t be more ecstatic about the future tours we have going on. The beginning of June is a short leg with HELLYEAH, and then a headlining northwest tour at the end of June!!
– How was it recording your album In Your Face (Again)?
An experience for sure. It’s a re-release of our EP In Your Face. We were so giddy about recording with John Aquilino at the amazing Platinum Underground. It was very eye opening recording that EP. We have so many great ideas of how to tackle the next album for the next recording sessions.
– How do you build a song up from nothing to become something?
It’s a group process. It never really happens the same way every time. Alex will come in with a riff, or Sydney will come in with a bass or guitar riff, or I come in with a drum beat. Sometimes it starts with myself or Sydney bringing in some new lyrics! New songs could take three hours or three weeks. That’s what makes it exciting every time. You get to watch it bloom.
– Do you consider album artwork as important now that music is mostly downloaded?
Of course!! It has to depict the overarching theme of your album, as well as draw in the consumer. I love skimming through art magazines or websites to find original artwork for our next album. It’s too much fun.
– How many shows do you play per year on average, and how crazy does the schedule get?
This year we’ve played the most shows we’ve ever played in a time span of months. We have played about 60 shows this year so far! So that answers your question about how crazy the schedule gets. This tour is especially crazy. We’ve only had like 4 days off in two months. So worth it though.
– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?
LIFE: My family. My mom and dad were the ones that got me into rock music at a very early age. Music was never not playing in my house. At the age of 8 I had a MASSIVE iTunes library of music with a crazy wide range of stuff. The School of Rock is also a huge life and music influence. It has changed the way I play drums and how I look at the music industry.
MUSIC: My Chemical Romance, Refused, John Mayer, Tool, Led Zeppelin, The Police, The Who, Paramore, Underoath, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, As Tall As Lions.
– Without social media could bands today manage to survive?
I would say yes. We did it without social media for decades. We got the best bands in the world out of a social media-less planet. BUT all of those internet outlets have helped the industry TREMENDOUSLY. Especially with helping a band get exposure, and with new ways to access music on different music playing platforms.
– In your opinion, which album would be essential to have if someone were stranded on a deserted island?
I CAN’T PICK JUST ONE. Possibly…..the entire My Chemical Romance discography, Aenima by Tool, Continuum by John Mayer, Define The Great Line by Underoath, and Undercurrent by Bill Evans.
– How important are music videos in the industry today? How do they compare to videos from 20 years ago?
They’re important to the industry, but I think they’re more important to the musician than they are to the industry. It’s a personal visual depiction of what the song means to the band. It’s the message you want to put across. It’s a great way to engage fans on exactly what you want them to see when listening to the song.
– Any words of wisdom to share with aspiring artists?
DO NOT let fear hold you back. I speak from experience. I was terrified of embarking on this long tour and did not know if I could make it through because of my severe anxiety. But you just HAVE to push yourself through the obstacles. You will overcome them. That is a guarantee.
Write what you feel. Don’t be a copy of another band. You want to get recognized in this industry? Be fearless, be original. Be unique. NEVER SETTLE.